ELMONT, NY — New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin had a rough night Tuesday. He allowed five goals on 11 shots before being pulled following 40 minutes of play.
It wasn’t a game in which he was beaten from point-blank shots or back-door tap-ins.
It was a game where Sorokin had trouble seeing the pucks from jump street, an issue that he could not overcome.
Following the game, Islanders head coach and Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy was asked about the performance of his netminder.
“If I’m telling you that Ilya had a great game, you would tell me that I’m full of shit, isn’t it?” Roy said. “It was not his best game, but there were a few bad bounces.
“I know we will bounce back. I mean, he’s a character person and he will find a way. I know we could count on him. There’s no doubt.”
Rangers Power Past Islanders 5-1 At UBS Arena It only made sense that in a crossroads game the New York Islanders would skate against their cross-town rival New York Rangers.
To Sorokin’s credit, he took ownership of his tough night, even though there’s not much time left for moral victories or what have you.
“I think it was three deflections, but I should play better,” Sorokin said.
Fighting through screens, especially when that screen is set by a 6’8, 255-pound Matt Rempe, is no easy task. It’s become one of the biggest emphases when attacking talented netminders.
“You can’t stop what you can’t see,” is the expression, which isn’t entirely true. If you are aggressive enough, pucks may find you rather than finding open twine.
“Today, I tried to find the puck but it was hard today. I will have to ask the goalie coach. I try to play aggressively, but it did not help me.”
While fighting through screens is Sorokin’s job, it’s also on the defense in front of him to win their battles in front and either block shots or allow the goaltender to see the shot.
Sorokin was kind of on his own with that, as the Islanders’ defense struggled to box out the entire night.
“The defense does what coach says they should do,” Sorokin said. “It’s my [job] to find the puck.”
After winning seven straight games, Sorokin is 0-4-0 in his last four games with a 4.5 GAA and an .818 SV%.
If the Islanders are going to make the playoffs, he needs to get back to his game fast.
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